Shipping container



Jan. 7, 1958 R. L. WHITE ET AL 2,819,008

SHIPPING CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 30, 1955 INVENTOR. RogerL. Whz'ze and Richard C. /W//ler ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 7, 1958 R. L.. WHITE ETAL SHIPPING CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledSept. 30, 1955 ...Si a l z s, is... Iii :als

INVENTOR.

Whe and Richard C. /V//Y/er ATTORNEY.

Jan. 7, 1958 R. L. wHlTE ET AL SHIPPING CONTAINER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filedsept. 50, 1955 A TTORNEYS United States Patent C SHJPPING CONTAINERRoger L. White and Richard C. Miller, Lawrence, Kans., asslgnors to TheLawrence Paper Company, Lawrence, Kans., a corporation of KansasApplication September 30, 1955, Serial No. 537,701 6 Claims. (Cl.229-23) This invention relates to shipping containers, and moreparticularly to a novel paperboard container for eliiciently packing,shipping and handling produce such as fruits, vegetables and the like.

In the packing, shipping and handling of perishable produce, such asfruits and vegetables, it is customary to use baskets which are filledand faced, then covered for storage and shipping, and even though careis exercised, loads and impacts occurring during shipping frequentlycauses bruises or injury to the contents. Some attempts have been madeto successfully ship produce in corrugated paper boxes; however, it isdesirable to have ventilation and air circulation around and in thecontainers, and difficulties have been encountered in providing low costboxes of suitable shape for providing air circulation channels betweenstacked boxes and also have strength and bearing contact betweencontainers for resisting impacts occurring during shipment and roughhandling. The time and labor in filling containers to provide attractivearrangement of the produce when opened has also been a problem, andwhile metal forms for use in facing have been used, the cost of thecontainers and the handling is substantial. When fruit is placed in abasket or box, and a cover secured thereon as in usual practice, thevibration and jars in shipping causes the fruit to settle so that whenopened the box appears not to have the volume of fruit that it issupposed to contain, and this short appearance results indissatisfaction of the customer.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a novel shippingcontainer structure of suitable paperboard such as double-facedcorrugated board that eliminates the above difficulties; to provide ashipping container that is cut from corrugated board with little wasteand portions connections and parts shipped iiat for folding and assemblyat the point of use without use of fastening devices such as staples orstitching in the assembly; to provide such a shipping container withinner and outer wall members wherein a cover is applied to the innermember, produce faced on the under side of the cover, the inner memberlled and the outer member which includes the bottom applied to completethe packing; to provide cooperating locking members on the inner, outerand cover members which retain the parts in assembled condition and theproduce therein during shipping and handling; to provide such acontainer with side walls having tapered portions for formingventilation channels and vertical portions which form lateral loadbearing surfaces when a plurality of such containers are arranged inside by side or adjoining relation; to provide such a container withVentilating openings for ventilation of the contents; to provide such acontainer with facet wall panels at the corners which cooperate with avertical and tapered or inclined portions to retain same in position; toprovide such a container with locks between certain portions thereofthat are engaged to retain the container in closed condition withdifferent degrees of telescoped relation for change in the volume of thecontainer whereby Patented Jan. 7, 1958 ice the parts may be furthertelescoped to reduce the volume after settling of the contents; and toprovide such a container that is economical to manufacture, easilyassembled in a shipping container of improved impact and stackingstrength and that is efficient in use for handling and protection offruit and produce contained therein.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the present invention, wehave provided improved details of structure, the preferred form of whichis illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a top perspective view of a shipping container embodying thefeatures of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the shipping container takenon the line 2--2, Fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the shipping container takenon the line 33, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the shipping container onthe line 4 4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a partial vertical sectional vew through the shippingcontainer taken on the line 5-5, Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the blank of the inner wall or liner of thelshipping container.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the blank of the cover.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the blank of the outer wall and bottom membersof the container.

Fig. 9 is a perspective View of the cover and liner in partially lledcondition.

Fig. 10 is a disassembled perspective view of the cover liner and outerwall and bottom structures of the container.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a shipping container generally consisting of an outermember or box 2 with a bottom closure 3, a top closure or cover 4, aninner bottom 5, and an inner wall or liner 6, all fabricated fromsuitable paperboard such as double-faced corrugated board that is ofhigh strength, moisture resistant and relatively stiff when wet.

The outer member or box 2 of the shipping container is preferably formedfrom a cut and scored blank 7 illustrated in Fig. 8 and including a mainbody portion 8 of generally segmental shape or form. On one of the sideedges of the blank 7 are extensions or sections 9, 10, 11 and 12 formingbottom closing liaps of the shipping container. The extensions 9, 10, 11and 12 have their inner edges defined respectively by score lines 13,14, 15 and 16 arranged in end to endA angular relation and extendinggenerally longitudinally of the blank, and the opposite side of theblank is provided with a plurality of straight edges arranged in end toend angular relation whereby the edges 13', 14', 15 and 16 aresubstantially parallel with the score lines 13, 14, 15 and 16respectively.

The bottom closure 3 may be formed of bottom extensions or flaps ofconventional shape such as regular slotted carton iiaps; however, it ispreferred that the bottom closure be of the quick closing, self-lockingtype, whereby force acting on the bottom tending to push the bottomsections outwardly effects engagement of the locking portions to holdthem in place such as is shown as a bottom closure in the co-pendingapplication of Roger L. White on Folding Carton, Serial No. 496,528,filed March 28, 1955. In such a bottom closure, each of the extensionsor sections 9, 10, 11 and 12, have a length from the respective scorelines 13, 14,. 15 and 16 to the outer edges 17 of said sections that issubstantially:

two-thirds the length of the respective score lines along which thebottom sections are connected to the body member of the blank. Theextension or section 10 has a central cutout portionV 18 extendinginwardly from the edge 17 and terminating in an edge 19 spaced from thescore line 1 4 slightly more than one-half the length ofi the scorelines 13 and 15. The extensions 9 and 11 have the sides thereof adjacentthe extension inclined to form sloping edges extending fromsubstantially the intersection, of the score lines 13 and 15 with theends of the score line 14. The sloping edges 20 terminate in rearwardlycurved portions ,21 to, form ears 22. The extension 12 has inclined orslopingtsides` 23 extending from the ends of the` score line 16, saidsloping sides preferably being substantially at the same angle relativeto the, score line 16. The inclined sides 23 terminate in rearwardlycurved portions 24 forming ears 25. The, distance between the ends ofthe inclined side 23 is preferably slightly more than the length of thecutout 18 in extension 10 whereby each of the bottom sections and theears thereon cooperatein providing inter-engaging locking means on saidsections to hold said sections in load-supporting position whenthecontainer is assembled. The opposite side edges `2.6 of the extension 10are preferably perpendicular to the score line 14 and the side edges 27of the extensions 9 and 11 opposite the sloping sides 20 are preferablyperpendicular to the score lines 13 and 15 respectively.

Extending longitudinally of the blank and arranged in end to end angularrelation are a plurality of straight score lines 28, 29, 30 and 31arranged intermediate the side edges of the main body portion andparallel with the edges 13', 14', 15' and 16 respectively. Divergingscore lines 32 and 33 extend from the intersection of the ends or thepoint of intersections of each of the score lines 13, 14, 15 and 16 tothe score lines 28, 29, 30 and 31, and then converge slightly to theedges 13', 14', 15' and 16 respectively whereby the substantiallytriangular portion between the score lines 32 and 33 form corner panelsor facets 34 and the substantially trapezoidal portion between the scorelines 32 and 33 that converge form side walls 35, 36, 37 and 38 fromwhich the respective bottom sections or extensions 9, 10, 11 and 12respectively extend. The corner panel 34 at the end of the side walls 35remote from the side wall 36 has an end flap y39vand the side wall 38has an `end flap 40 on the end opposite from the ,side wall. 37 witheach of the end lflaps 39 and 40, preferably substantially one-half ofthe corner panels 34 -for, overlapping relation in securing the ends ofthe blank together to form a tubular structure and, score lines 41 and.42 are arranged to extend through the side walls 36 and extension 10'and side wall 38y and extension 12 in perpendicular relationship to thescoreline-s 14 and 16 whereby when the tubular formation of the blank iscompleted, it may bel bent on the score lines 41 and 42and. flattenedfor storage and shipment toa point of use.

The wall liner or inner member 6 is preferably formed into an open endedtubular member from a cut and scored blank 43 illustratedv in Fig, 6having one side edge 44 defined by a plurality of straight edges k45,46, 47 and 48 arranged in end to end angular relation extendinggenerally longitudinally of the blank. Thek straight edges 45, 46 47 and48 form the lower edges of side walls 49, 50, 51 and 52 respectively ofsuch shape and size that the lower portion 53 thereof closely engage andsubstantially conform to the shape of the interior surface of the sidewalls 35, 36, 37 and 38respectively of the outer box member 2.

Intermediate the side members 49, 50, 51 and 52 are corner panels 54each defined by score lines 55 and 56 which diverge from the points ofintersection of the straight lines or edges 45, 46, and 47 whereby thecorner panels are of such shapeand size that they closely lie withinandengage they interior of the corner panels 34 of the outer box, member2. There is a corner panel 54 for each of thesidesA of; the inner memberor liner 6, one Ofsueh corner panels. beingv on the side wall memberand, the opposite endy of *the` blankis cut to provide an edge 57 shapedtoyabut theedge 58 of said cornerpanel on the wall 45 whereby when theblank 43 is folded to form a tubular structure, the edges 57 and 5.8abut and the tubular structure may be sleeved or telescoped into theinterior of the box 2.

Score lines 59 extend generally longitudinally of the blank 43 inparallel relation to the edges 45, 46, 47 and 48 respectively wherebyVthe score lines 59 when the box is assembled is located in substantiallyhorizontal alignment with the score lines 28, 29, 30 and 31 of the outerbox 2. The walls 45, 46, 47 and 48 and corner panels 54 each have upperextensions or portions d@ arranged between score lines 59 and score line61 with the ends of said upper extensions or portions dened by extension62 of the score lines S5 and 56which are arranged in such a manner thatthe score lines 55 and 56 diverge to the score lines 59 and theextensions 62 converge to the score lines 61 or cut out edges alignedtherewith with the angular arrangement of the score lines such that whenthe blank 43 is formed into a tubular formation the side walls of theliner slope upwardly and outwardly from the lower edges 45, 46, 47 and48 to the score lines 59 and the upper extensions or portions 6l) formopposed walls which arel substantially parallel and in vertical planeswhen the lower edges are in a horizontal plane.

The` extensions. on the walls 50 and 52 each have. central tabs 63extending from the score line 6.1 to form locking members as laterdescribed. On each side ofthe'tabs 63 and extending from the extensionsony the walls 49 and 51 are tlanges64 having their free edge scallopedas Aat 65, the ilangesy 64 preferably being crushedA to flattenthecorruga'tions therein whereby the marginal portions or more ofthe-.anges are `substantially paper thin. Thel walls v49 and 51 arevpreferably provided with U-shaped cuts 66 and 67 with the ends` of thelugs thereof intersected by score lines 68 to provide hinged tabs 69 and70 respectively in said walls. The U-shaped cut and score lines formingthe locking tabs 70 has greater spacing from the edge 47 than does theU-shaped cut and score` line defining the tab 69 from the edge 45whereby said locking tabs 69 and 7i) cooperate with locking tabs 71 and72 cut from the wallsy 35 and 37 of theouter box` member 2. The tabs 71Vand 72 are cut, whereby when each are folded on score lines 73 thecutout forms hand holds and the spacing between the locking .tabs 71andv 72 and the score lines 13 and 15 being such that said tabsvcooperate with the tabs 69and 70 to lock the liner 6 and outer boxmember 2 as later described.

The liner member 6.and the outer box member 2 each have a plurality ofspaced Ventilating apertures 74 cut therein whereby when the carton isassembled the aper-` tures register either with other apertures or withthe openings deiined by the cutout portions forming the tabs69, 70, 71and 72. The walls 50 and 52 of the liner or inner member 6 preferablyhave central vertically extending4 score lines 75 whereby the edges 57and 58 may be arranged in abutting relation to form the liner in tubularform and the kmarginsfadjacent said edges suitably secured as bygurnmed` tape 7'6- or other suitable fastening devices and then theliner member 6 may be folded on the scorel lines 75 to flat condition-for shipping to a point of use.

The bottom liner 5 ist a single sheet of suitabley paperboard ofsuitable size-and shape` to t `within the outer box member 2 inoverlyingvrelation to the bottom flapsv opposed score lines is slightlygreater than the width ofv the upper portion of the container. Thescorelines, 78Y are perpendicular to the score lines. .79 andthecornersare cut to provide edges 80, arranged.. atan angle totheadjacent score lines.

2,s19,0os

Flanges 81 are connected to the body 77. by the score lines 79 andextend therefrom, said flanges being of a length substantiallycorresponding to the length of the score lines 79. The outer end of theflanges 81 are connected by double score lines 82 to liaps 83 which areprovided with a central notch 84 to form a locking edge 85 forcooperation with the tabs 63 as later described. The portions on eachside of the notch 84 have lugs 86 whereby when the ap 83 is folded onthe score lines 82 to overlie the flange 81 and the flange moved toperpendicular relationship to the dat plane of the body 77, the lugs 86will engage in indentations 87 in the body portion to hold the flangesand aps in folded position. The llanges 81 have central apertures 88 foruse in releasing the lock for the cover as later described.

The cover includes sides 89 connected to the body member 77 by the scorelines 78 and each of the sides have extensions 90 extending from theends of the sides and connected thereto by score lines 91 that aresubstantially perpendicular to the score lines 78. The extensions 90preferably are of substantially the same length as the length of theedges 80 and terminate in tongues 92 connected to the extension by scorelines 93 parallel with the score lines 91; said tongues are adapted tobe extended between the flanges 81 and flaps 83 when in folded positionand said tongues have notched portions 94 to provide edges 95 which whenthe cover is folded align with the edges 85.

When the flat cover 4, inner bottom 5, outer box 2 and liner 6 are to beutilized to assemble the container for facing and lling with fruit, thecover blank 76 is laid bottom side up and the sides 89 folded on thescore lines 78 to upright position, the corner extensions 90 folded onthe score lines 91 to align with the edges 80 and the tongues 92 foldedon the score lines 93 to position same adjacent the score lines 79. Thenthe flanges 81 are folded on the score lines 79 to upright positionrelative to the body 77' and the aps 83 folded on the score lines 82over the tongues 92 and the lugs 86 engaged with the indeutations 87 tohold the cover in assembled condition. Then the liner member 6 is openedby straightening the folds at the score lines 75 to form a tubular linerand then the scalloped members 64 are folded inwardly on the score lines61 and the locking tabs 63 folded out wardly to overlie the sideportions 6i) of the liner. The cover 4I- is then placed on the upperportion of the liner 6 and forced thereon with the sides 89 and flaps 83substantially engaging the sides of the liner telescoping same with thenotches 84 aligned with the locking tabs 63. The cover member is forceddownwardly until the body 77 thereof engages the inturned scallopedportions 6ft. The edges 8S and 95 will substantially register with thefree edges of the locking tabs 63 and the natural tendency ofl thelockiriy tabs 63 to move to straighten with the adjacent side wallcauses the edge to engage the edge 85 to lock the cover on the liner.

The assembled cover and liner are inverted as illustrated in Fig. 9 andfruit arranged or faced on the inside of the cover to provide anattractive appearance when the cover is removed from the container.After the facing the liner is filled while in inverted position. Theouter box 2 is set up by opening same into a tubular formation bystraightening the sides on the fold lines 41 and 42. Then the bottomsection 10 is folded inwardly and the side aps 9 and 11 are foldedinwardly to overlie the flap 1t) and then the ap 12 is folded inwardlyand the tongue ends thereof inserted under the edge 19 whereby thetongues and 22 cooperate to effect a locking engagement to hold thebottom sections or flaps in place against substantial pressure from theinterior of the box. Then the inner bottom 5 is dropped into the outerbox section 2 to overlie the bottom sections and the locking tabs 71 and72 are turned inwardly and the locking tabs 69 and 7@ on the liner 6 areturned outwardly as illustrated in Fig. 10. Then the outer box isarranged locking tabs 69 and locking tabs 71 in engaging sides so thatwhen the outer box is telescoped over the liner the edge of the lockingtab 71 will move by the edge of the locking tab 69 to effectinter-engagement thereof to hold the outer box on the liner. However,when the edges of the locking tabs 69 and 71 are in locking engagement,the edges of the locking tabs 70 and 72 will still be in overlappedposition. The containers are then turned right side up for shipping.After some handling, the fruit will settle and then by pressingdownwardly on the top of the box, force will be applied to furthertelescope the outer box 2 over the liner 6 and effect locking engagementof the locking tabs 70 and 72 which in effect shortens the heighth ofthe fruit containing: portion of the container to take up for theportion or space that was left by the settling. Then when the cover isremoved, the container appears to be full.

When the container reaches its point of destination, a linger isinserted through one of the openings 88 to apply pressure to the tab 63to disengage the edge thereof from the edge on the cover flap 83permitting the cover to be removed. When a plurality of filledcontainers are placed in stacked condition and side by side relation,the vertical sides of the cover and the engagement thereof with thevertical side portions 60 of the liner provide bearing surfaces betweenadjoining containers when stacked together and the inwardly taperedportion provide horizontal channels for airflow and the facet cornersprovide vertical channels whereby air can circulate around the sides ofthe container and also enter the apertures in the outer member and coverand pass through the registering apertures in the liner for movementaround the contents of the container. The vertical portion of the sidesof the cover and liner are of suitable,

size to form load bearing surfaces that are ample to take and absorb theimpact imparted to stacked containers as for example in freight carsduring rough handling, switching and the like whereby the impact loadsare absorbed by the container and are not transmitted to the contents insucient force to injure the contents of the containers.

While in the form of the invention illustrated the outer box has theupper edges thereof extending only a short distance above the scorelines 28, 29, 30 and 31, said portions may be of any desired heighth upto the heighth of the side portions 60 of the liner to provide furtherimpact strength for absorbing impact from adjacent containers duringrough handling.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that we have devised anew and novel shipping container of unique shape that is easilyassembled, without auxiliary fastening devices, and arranged whereby thecontents may be faced under the cover, the container filled and thenclosed and locked in closed position, and that when a plurality arearranged in adjoining and stacked condition, Ventilating passes will beformed therebetween and there will be contacting lateral load bearingportions which substantially reduce possibility of injury to thecontents of the container during shipment.

What We claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1s:

1. A container for facing and packing of fruit for shipment comprising,a tubular liner member having a plurality of connected side wallswherein opposed side walls have parallel upper portions and inwardly anddownwardly inclined lower portions, a score line defining the junctureof the upper and lower portions, the lower ends of the lower portiondefining a bottom opening and the upper ends of the upper portions oftheside walls defining a top opening, the periphery of the top openingbeing substantially greater than the vbottom opening, corner panelsconnecting the adjacent side walls, said' corner panels each beingdefined by pairs of score lines 7 diverging from the lower ends of theliner member to the score lines definingv the juncture of the upper andlower portions of the adjacent side walls and then converging to theupper ends of the side walls, a cover having a panel substantiallyengaging the parallel upper portions of the side walls,inter-engagingmeans on the cover flanges and side walls of the linermember for retaining the cover in closing position on the upper portionof the liner member whereby the closed liner member is inverted andfruit faced in the liner member on the inside of the cover memberandthen the liner member filled while in inverted position, anv outer boxhaving side walls and corner panels substantially corresponding in shapeto the lower portion of the side walls` of the liner, a bottom closureon the outer box` whereby the outer box with a, closed bottom istelescoped over the lower portion and the side walls of the outer boxsnugly engaged with the side walls of the liner member and the bottom ofthe outer box closes the bottoml opening in said liner, andinter-engaging means on certain side walls of the outer box and linermember for retaining the outer box on the liner member.

2. A container for facing and packing of fruit for shipment comprising,a tubular liner member having a plurality of connected side wallswherein opposed side walls have parallel upper portions and inwardly anddownwardly inclined lower portions, a score line defining the junctureof the upper and lower portions, the lower ends ofthe lower portionsdefining a bottom opening and the upper ends of the upper portions ofthe side walls delining a top opening, the periphery of the top openingbeing substantially greater than the bottom opening, corner panelsconnecting the adjacent side walls, said corner panels each beingdefined by pairs of score lines diverging from the lower ends of thetubular member to the score line defining the juncture of the upper andlower portions of the adjacent side wallsand then converging to thelupper ends of the side walls, score lines extending across the cornerpanels at the greatest width thereof and defining upper and lower,portions of the corner panels which are angularly related to formdownwardly and inwardly inclined portions with the upper portion beinginclined inwardly at a greater degree than the lower portion, a coverhaving a panel extending across the top opening, depending angeson thecover panel substantially engaging the parallel upperportions of theside walls, outwardly and downwardly turned tabs on the upper ends ofopposed side walls ofthe linery member, extensions on the ends ofcertain tiangesof the cover mernber Iunderlying the adjacent flangesthereomiiaps on said adjacent anges extending from thelower ends thereofupwardly between the extensions and the side walls ot the liner, said apand extensions having cutout portions forming shoulders adapted to beengaged by the tabs on the liner member to form a lockinginterengagement to hold the cover on the liner member in closingposition` whereby the closed liner member is inverted and fruit faced inthe liner member on the inside of the cover member and then the linerfilled while in inverted posif tion, an outer box having side walls, andcorner panels substantially corresponding in shape to the lower portionof the side walls of the liner, abottom closure on the outer box wherebythe outer box with a closed bottom is telescoped over the lower portion`of the liner member and the side walls of said outer box snugly engagethe side walls of the liner member and the bottom of the outer boxcloses the bottom vopening in the liner member, inter-engaging lugs onopposed side walls of the outer box and liner member for retaining theouter box on the liner member, said 4side walls of the outer box andliner member and the iangesy of the cover having a plurality ofVmutually/#spaced registering apertures therein for ven* tilationl ofthe contents of the container.

i 31. Acontaner for facing and packing of fruit for shipasiduos mentcomprising, a tubular liner member having a plurality of connected sidewalls wherein opposed side walls have parallel upper portions andinwardly and downwardly inclined lower portions, a score line definingthe juncture of the upper and lower portions, the lower ends of thelower portions defining a bottom opening and the upper ends of the upperportions of the side walls defining` a top opening, the periphery of thetop opening being substantially greater than the bottom opening, cornerpanels connecting the adjacent side walls, said corner panels each beingdefined by pairs of score lines diverging from the lower ends of thetubular member to the score line defining the juncture of the upper andlower portions of the adjacent side walls and then converging to theupper ends of the side walls, score lines extending across the cornerpanels at the greatest width thereof and defining upper and lowerportions of the corner panels which are angularly related to formdownwardly and inwardly inclined, portions with the upper portion beinginclined inwardly at a greater degree than the lower portion, a coverhaving a panel extending across the top opening, depending flanges onthe cover panel substantially engaging the upper portions of the sidewalls of the liner, interengaging means on the cover anges and sidewalls of the liner for retaining the cover in closing position on theupper portion of the liner member, an outer box having side walls andcorner panels substantially corresponding in shape to the lower portionof the side walls of the. liner, a bottom closure on the outer boxwhereby the outer box With a closed bottom is telescoped over the lowerportion of the liner member, and the side walls of said outer box snuglyengage the side walls of the liner member and the bottom of the outerboxcloses the bottom opening in the liner member, and interengaging lugs onopposedv side walls of the-outer box and liner member, the interengaginglugs on one wall being positioned at an elevation higher than the lug onthe opposed side wall whereby when the outer box is telescoped over theliner member one of the locking lugs on the outer box side wall engagesthe locking lug on the corresponding side wall of the liner member toretain the outer box on the liner member, and further telescoping of theouter box on the liner member effects engagement of the other lockinglugs on the opposed side walls of the outer box and liner member.

4. A container for facing and packing of fruit for shipment comprising,a tubular liner member having a plurality of connected side wallswherein opposed side walls have parallel upper portions and inwardly anddownwardly inclined lower portions, a score line defining the junctureof the upper and lower portions, the lower ends of the lower portionsdefining a bottom opening and the upper ends of the upper portions ofthe side walls defining a top opening, the periphery of the top openingbeing substantially greater than the bottom opening, corner panelsconnecting the adjacent side walls, said corner panels each beingdefined by pairs of score lines diverging from the lower ends of thetubular member to the score line defining the juncture of the upper andlower portions of the adjacent side walls and then converging to theupper ends of the side walls, score lines extending across the cornerpanels at the greatest Width thereof and defining upper and lowerportions of the corner panels which are angularly related to formdownwardly and inwardly inclined portions with the upper portion beinginclined inwardly at a greater degree than the lower portion, a coverhaving a panel extending across the top opening, depending flanges onthe cover panel substantially engaging r'neparallel` upper portions ofthe side walls, outwardly and downwardly turned tabs on the upper endsof opposed side walls of the liner member, extensions on the ends ofcertain flanges of the cover member underlying the adjacent flangesthereon, flaps on said adjacent fianges extending from the lower endsthereof upasiduos wardly between the extensions and the side walls ofthe liner, said iiap and extensions having cutout portions formingshoulders adapted to be engaged by the tabs on the liner member to forma locking inter-engagement to hold the cover on the liner member inclosing position whereby the closed liner member is inverted and fruitfaced in the liner member on the inside of the cover member and then theliner filled while in inverted position, an outer box having side wallsand corner panels substantially corresponding in shape to the lowerportion of the side walls of the liner, a bottom closure on the outerbox whereby the outer box with a closed bottom is telescoped over thelower portion of the liner member and the side walls of said outer boxsnugly engage the side Walls of the liner member and the bottom of theouter box closes the bottom opening in the liner member, andinter-engaging lugs on opposed side walls of the outer box and linermember, the inter-engaging lugs on one wall being positioned at anelevation higher than the lug on the opposed side wall whereby when theouter box is telescoped over the liner member one of the locking lugs onthe outer box side wall engages the locking lug on the correspondingside wall of the liner member to retain the outer box on the linermember, and further telescoping of the outer box on the liner membereffects engagement of the other locking lugs on the opposed side wallsof the outer box and liner member, said side walls of the outer box andliner member and the anges of the cover having a plurality of mutuallyspaced registering apertures therein for ventilation of the contents ofthe container, said container being characterized by the parallelportions of the side walls of the liner member and the lianges of thecover engaging same providing bearing surfaces between adjoiningcontainers and the inclined lower portions and corner panels providinghorizontal and vertical air passages between adjoining containers whenstacked together.

5. A shipping container for fruit and garden produce formed of foldablestiii high-strength moisture-resistant double-faced corrugatedpaperboard, said container including an outer box having a plurality ofconnected side Walls wherein opposed side walls have parallel upperportions and inwardly and downwardly inclined lower portions, a scoreline defining the juncture of the upper and lower portions of each sidewall, the lower ends of the lower portions of the side walls definingthe bottom opening of the container, the periphery of the openingdefined by the upper ends of the upper portion of the side walls beingsubstantially greater in length than the periphery of the bottomopening, corner panels connecting the adjacent side walls, said cornerpanels each being det-ined by pairs of score lines diverging from thelower ends to the score lines defining the juncture of the upper andlower portions of the adjacent side walls and then converging to theupper ends thereof, closure means for the bottom opening of thecontainer, a liner in the outer box and having upper and lower sidewalls and corner panels connected to form a tubular member open at thetop and bottom, said side walls and corner panels of the liner membersubstantially corresponding in shape and snugly engaging the interior ofthe side walls and corner panels of the outer box, the upper portion ofthe liner member extending beyond the upper ends of the side walls ofthe outer box, a cover closing the upper end of the liner member,interengaging means on the cover and liner to retain the cover incontainer closing position, and interengaging means in certain sidewalls of the liner and outer box to retain the liner in the outer box,said side walls or" the liner and outer box having a plurality ofmutually spaced registering apertures therein for Ventilating thecontents of the container, and sides on said cover substantiallyengaging the parallel upper portions of the liner member with theopposed sides of the cover parallel and of suitable heighth wherein thecontainer is characterized by the parallel portions of the sides of thecover providing bearing surfaces between adjoining containers and theinclined lower portions and corner panels of the container providinghorizontal and vertical air passages between adjoining containers whenstacked together.

6. A container for facing and packing of fruit for shipment comprising,a tubular liner member having a plurality of connected side wallswherein opposed side walls have parallel upper portions and inwardly anddownwardly inclined lower portions, a score line defining the junetureof the upper and lower portions, the lower ends of the lower portionsdeiining a bottom opening and the upper ends of the upper portions ofthe side walls dening a top opening, the periphery of the stop openingbeing substantially greater than the bottom opening, corner panelsconnecting the adjacent side walls, said corner panels each beingdefined by pairs of score lines diverging from the lower ends of theltubular member to the score line dening the juncture of the upper andlower portions of the adjacent side walls and then converging to theupper ends of the side walls, score lines extending across the cornerpanels at the greatest width thereof and defining upper and lowerportions of the corner panels which are angularly related to formdownwardly and inwardly inclined portions with the upper portion beinginclined inwardly at a greater degree than the lower portion, an outerbox having side walls and corner panels substantially corresponding inshape to the lower portion of the side walls of the liner, a bottomclosure on the outer box whereby the outer box with a closed bottom istelescoped over the lower portion of the liner member and the side wallsof said outer box snugly engage the side walls of the liner member andthe bottom of the outer box closes the bottom opening of the linermember, interengaging means on the outer box and liner member retainingthe outer box on the liner member, a cover having a panel extendingacross the top opening, depending llanges on the cover panelsubstantially engaging the upper portions of the side walls, and meanssecuring the cover to the side walls for retaining the cover in closingposition.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,612,891 Tate Ian. 4, 1927 1,934,983 Lane NOV. 14, 1933 2,083,623Thorup June 15, 1937 2,193,924 I-Iuye Mar. 19, 1940 2,358,614 ArbuthnotSept. 19, 1944 2,540,595 Props Feb. 6, 1951 2,745,589 Daly May 15, 1956FOREIGN PATENTS 509.360 Germany Sept. 25, 1930

